Old Red, for those of you who have not read the original story, is a ’67 Ford pick-up. I paid $1,200.00 for it in 1971. It was worth every penny.

Me and Old Red almost parted company this time.

I was cruising down Highway 71 between Llano and Brady, about six miles west of Pontotoc.

It’s hard to describe the elation that comes from being alone on the way to the deer lease. A whole weekend with no cares. Sitting around the campfire with my friends. Hunting with my sons. I’m singing as I roll along. (Old Red doesn’t have a radio.)

Then, Old Red quits. Nothing I can do will get her to start. It’s about 8:00 p.m. and it’s cold. I’m sitting on the edge of a two-lane highway. Trucks come by and shake Old Red as they pass.

No one will come for me. Judy assumes I’m on the deer lease. My hunting buddies don’t know I’m coming.

I spent the night near Pontotoc. It froze that night. Fortunately, I had my hunting gear with me. I rolled up in my bedroll and got some sleep. I was alright except for the 4 or 5 times I had to take a nature break.

I was on one of those “grooved highway” areas so every car that passed made a roar as it hit the grooves. I could imagine an 18-wheeler plowing into the rear of Old Red because he didn’t see us in time.

Finally, dawn broke. With it came a strange sound. Like someone beating a drum. I had to roll the window down to see. Frost covered all of Old Red’s windows.

One glance solved the mystery of the drums. I was across the ditch from a farm house. About a dozen Emus looked across the fence at me omitting booming sounds because they didn’t know what it was they were looking at.

I hitch-hiked back to Llano (40 miles) and found a wrecker who went out past Pontotoc and hauled me in. He charged me $90.00. I think he knew he had a city slicker and took advantage of the situation.

It was the fuel pump. I had to wait until they could find one. ’67 Fords are not the standard pick-up for 1999. I spent the night in the Badu house, a bed and breakfast that may have been a brothel at one time.

On the deer lease (24 hours later), Old Red performed brilliantly all over the lease and most of the way home.

She quit again about 5 miles from Austin. I walked in the rain until a car made a u-turn and stopped. I couldn’t imagine who it could be.

It was Judy, my wife. She was going the opposite direction and saw me.

I got another wrecker the next day and had additional repairs. Old Red has run well for the past year. We don’t get on the highway very much. I just don’t feel I can rely on Old Red to get me there.

I’ve learned a lot about God from Old Red.

I’ve had several “near death” experiences and wonder why God doesn’t give up on me. But he doesn’t.

Another breakdown. Another fuel pump. Another chance to carry out the task I’m given.